Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-04-27
The Yacht with which BrifOns will
Compete for the America's Cups

Mr. Bells racing cutter Thistle, which Is to come
to Amerfch TO compete for the Americas cup, was
launched az Glasgow yesterday, as stated In TIE
STAB last evening. The Thistle Is constructed
mainly OF steel, with clipper bow. Her figure
head represents athistle. Her dimensions are as
follows: Length over load-water line, IS feet;
breadth, 20 feet inches; depth of hold, IA feet
inch: tonnage register, l005. The Thistle has q
fare which is expected to be OF great advantage
In standing an enorrnuS press Of canvas. She has
a clipper stern, with considerable overhang OF
stem and stern, promising TO allow an exception
a good rake, and admits OF easy quarters
and good clean run TO. Her enormous
spars and great area OF canvas have re-
exceptional strength IN internal fittings. The
hull up 10 the covering board is plated with
Siemens-Martin steel The lower plates are
three-iOurths OF an inch thick, and the upper
fve-sixteenths thick. The frames are tied by
steel diagonal strfngers TO kelSon and flooring,
forming the SecureSt network. The rigging Is
strengthened by perforated bracket frames and
plates. Frames have been used forward to pre-
vent parting in rough weather. Partial bulk
heads and forward collision bulkheads add
strength for ocean racing. There are steel plates
under the covering board, with yellow pine beams
and diagonal stringers to support the yellow pine
decks. which show narrower planks than usual.
The sweep of the deck IS easy. The covering
boards OF the deck fitting are OF teak and are de-
signed to permit the greatest amount OF deck
room for working the heavy gear. The bowsprit
CANNON is OF iron- and is fitted TO the stem head
VIII be secured BY bobStay OF steel rod, instead
OF chain.
the public was excluded from the launch Just
as the vessel cleared the warp she stuck fast,
owing TO blocks OF wood which the wOrkmen had
omitted 10 remove There was general disInay,
until men put out In boats, dislOdged the blocks,
and got the yacht afioat by means OF windlaSSeS
The vessel was finally launched, amid cheers from
those On board others on the shore giving cheers
for the yankees" When crossing the Atlantic
the Thistle Will carry a cruising mainsaii and
big mizzen. Her first race win be nom SOuthend
May % Capt. Barr, who won the queens cup
with the Alerfa, will command the Thistle.
WILL RxAJ ALL TIE BRITISH YACHTS AND THEN TRY
OUR CHAMPION.
The New YORK Commercial says: Secretary Jno.
Il. Bird, Of the New York Yacht Club, who sailed
to England In the schooner yacht Dauntless, as
Mr. Colts guest, stole a march upon his friends,
who expected his return by the Etruria, by arriy-
Ing last Saturday unregistered on board the North
German Lloyd steamship Saale. In company with
Henry Staples, he was met at quarantine by Stew
ard Eiels Olsen, of the New York Yacht Club, who
boarded the Saale from the revenue cutter. Before
leaving England Secretary Bird dtned with Mr.,
Bel, owner OF the Scotch champion yacht Thistle
The Thistle's owner declared his intention Of en-
tertng his boat In as many races possible before
coming TO America. He said that he hoped to be
able to win against the best British yachts and
come to New York as the acknowledged champion
OF Great Britain. GAnd then" he added TO Mr.
Bird u hopes 70 meet Jour best boat, and beat her,
too"